Klopp told African duo could miss start of 2019/20 season

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are likely to miss the start of the 2018/19 season due to their involvement in the African Cup of Nations, according to the Echo.

The Liverpool duo will begin to play their respective parts in yet another tournament from tonight, just three weeks after winning the Champions League.

And former Cameroon defender and Arsenal man Lauren has warned Jurgen Klopp the pair’s involvement in AFCON could adversely affect Liverpool’s 2019/20 title challenge.

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MUNICH, GERMANY – Tuesday, August 1, 2017: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Sadio Mane during the Audi Cup 2017 match between FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool FC at the Allianz Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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“Whatever happens, Liverpool will need to start the season without Salah and Mane, as they will need a good couple of weeks to rest and recuperate,” said Lauren.

“Otherwise their level will drop during the season. Players will be mentally and physically exhausted and will need a few weeks to recuperate before heading into the new Premier League season.

“If they don’t get the rest, there will be a chance that their Premier League campaign will be impacted by a slow start as the players are just too tired to play.

“This could be trouble for Liverpool as both Salah and Mane will likely be involved in the latter stages of the African Cup of Nations.”

He added: “The likes of Salah and Mane have played an unbelievable amount of football over the past two seasons, but tiredness will not be a major factor for Salah and Mane in the African Cup of Nations.

“What they lack in physical ability, they will make up for in their mentality going into the competition.”

Naby Keita will also feature for Guinea in the competition, though he’s unlikely to be used as much as his Liverpool teammates following a recent return from injury.

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Source: anfieldhq.com